Hindu Temple Latest Victim of Vandalism and Hate Speech

Hindu Temple Latest Victim of Vandalism and Hate Speech

A 17-year-old white male is behind bars, suspected of vandalizing a Hindu temple in an attack on the religion.

The break in, which occurred on Tuesday at the Swaminarayan Temple in Louisville, Kentucky, included the defacing of religious art at the side as well as graffiti claiming “Jesus is the only Lord.” Another message spray painted onto a bulletin board labeled temple attendees as “foreign b*****s.”

Several doors were also broken into, and a knife was stabbed into one of the chairs at the temple.

Hate crimes have been on the rise in the United States, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most recent hate crime statistics showing a 23% increase in bias crimes based on religion, with the majority of that was a 37% increase anti-Jewish hate crimes.

Louisville Metro Police Chief Steve Conrad offered extra security to the temple to help worshippers feel safe at the temple.

“To come into the temple today and to see the words of hate, the paint on the posters, the desecration of this temple is heartbreaking,” Conrad told reporters at a press conference held on the site.

The Mayor of Louisville, Greg Fischer, also spoke out, telling reporters that Louisville is a “proudly diverse city, a welcoming city. We’re a global city. We’re a compassionate city. That’s who we are, who we choose to be, and we’ll always be that way… and anytime we see hatred or bigotry in our city, we will stand up against it.”

The 17-year-old, who’s name, has not been released, has been charged with 1st degree criminal mischief and 3rd degree burglary.

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Father Speaks Out After His Teen Daughter Is Told ‘Kill Yourself’ in ‘Ignorant and Hateful’ Anti-LGBT Attack

A father is speaking out after his high school-aged teen daughter, a lesbian, was the target of harassment and vandalism at their Chicago-area home.

In what police say is a possible hate crime, attackers left a message on a “For Sale” sign: the 800 number to a suicide prevention hotline and the words, “go f*cking KYS.” KYS is shorthand for “kill yourself.” The attackers for reasons unknown also left dozens of white plastic forks strewn across the lawn.

“Suicide is real and tragic. It’s not a joke, it affects way too many families and it is truly hateful to wish it upon another individual,” Scott Nelles, the father of the victim, said at a village meeting, Chicago’s ABC 7 reports.

“The words ‘Go F—ing KYS’ in that barely literate juvenile handwriting will forever remain in my family’s life and those coward’s actions are likely to fade away to those involved as they continue to live an ignorant and hateful existence,” Nelles added.

“Hate is taught. It is not taught in our schools and it’s not taught in our community at large. Kindness is an easy choice. Love wins,” he concluded.

Horrific Homophobic Violence in London: Men Beat Up Lesbian Couple Who Refused to Kiss in Front of Them

A same-sex couple traveling on a double-decker bus in London say they were beaten bloody by four men after they refused to kiss in front of them.

Melania Geymonat, who is 28, told BBC News she experiences “a lot of verbal violence all the time,” but has never been physically attacked for being gay.

“There were at least four of them,” Geymonat wrote about the May 30 hate crime on her Facebook page on Wednesday, calling it “CHAUVINIST, MISOGYNISTIC AND HOMOPHOBIC VIOLENCE.”

“They started behaving like hooligans, demanding that we kissed so they could enjoy watching, calling us ‘lesbians’ and describing sexual positions,” she says.

“It was only them and us there. In an attempt to calm things down, I started making jokes. I thought this might make them go away. Chris even pretended she was sick, but they kept on harassing us, throwing us coins and becoming more enthusiastic about it.”

“The next thing I know is that Chris is in the middle of the bus fighting with them,: she continues. “On an impulse, I went over there only to find her face bleeding and three of them beating her up. The next thing I know is I’m being punched. I got dizzy at the sight of my blood and fell back. I don’t remember whether or not I lost consciousness. Suddenly the bus had stopped, the police were there and I was bleeding all over. Our stuff was stolen as well. I don’t know yet if my nose is broken, and I haven’t been able to go back to work, but what upsets me the most is that VIOLENCE HAS BECOME A COMMON THING.”

“I still believe that justice will be served.”

“Empire” star Jussie Smollett has broken his silence after a racist and homophobic attack sent him to the hospital. The 36-year old actor who had a noose wrapped around his neck and was doused with bleach says he’s OK but is still processing what happened.

“Let me start by saying that I’m OK,” Smollett said in an exclusive statement to Essence on Friday. “My body is strong but my soul is stronger. More importantly I want to say thank you. The outpouring of love and support from my village has meant more than I will ever be able to truly put into words,” he added.

There have been false and inaccurate reports, mostly from right wing media, which Smollett challenges in his remarks.

“I am working with authorities and have been 100 percent factual and consistent on every level. Despite my frustrations and deep concern with certain inaccuracies and misrepresentations that have been spread, I still believe that justice will be served,” he says.

“As my family stated, these types of cowardly attacks are happening to my sisters, brothers and non-gender conforming siblings daily. I am not and should not be looked upon as an isolated incident. We will talk soon and I will address all details of this horrific incident, but I need a moment to process. Most importantly, during times of trauma, grief and pain, there is still a responsibility to lead with love. It’s all I know. And that can’t be kicked out of me. With Love, respect & honor … Jussie.”

On Wednesday Chicago Police released these images of “people of interest.”

Photos of people of interest who were in area of the alleged assault & battery of Empire cast member. While video does not capture an encounter, detectives are taking this development seriously & wish to question individuals as more cameras are being reviewed pic.twitter.com/xJDDygtocr